A week had passed since the culprit had been uncovered, and Adriana was astounded at how the news and investigation had dissipated so rapidly in Split-Route; she even had occasions in which she questioned whether these events had actually taken place.

"Semi-finalists, please check the screens for pairings. Please note that you will be paired with another contestant until the final round. Cooperation will be the key to success~" The voice on the speaker announced.

"Well....At least someone's cheerful early in the morning..." Adriana remarked before looking for the nearest screen.

(full image/gif available in my posts. really sorry for the inconvenience)

"Awwww, lucky Rowan! Paired with the amazing Lady G.~!" Amy commented.

"Yay.... No pressure at all..." Adriana answered sarcastically.

"Yay! We're partnered together, Benny-Chan!" Anabelle shrieked happily at a troubled looking Benny, who had been glancing at Adriana. Their eyes met for a few instances until they both turned their heads away in unison, a light blush evident on their faces.

"Oh~. So... you've known this Benny guy for quite some time, haven't you? And I'm guessing you have a crush on him~?" Amy teased Adriana in a quiet enough voice that no-one else would be able to hear; making Adriana's blush increase. "Now, now. No need to be shy with me~."

"I-It's nothing like that! W-We're just childhood friends! N-Nothing else!"

"Sure~"

"L-Let's just look for our partners already!"

***

"It's our turn now... we can't be left behind by Amy now," Adriana thought to herself as she was preparing for the swap of battle pairs. As Anabelle, Benny, Lady G., and herself made their way towards the battle grounds, they crossed paths with the previous pairs.

Amy smiled teasingly as she spotted Benny and Adriana, "Don't go easy on each other just 'cause you're..."

Adriana glared at Amy as she feared her next words.

"...Childhood friends~," she finished. Adriana sighed before reaching the battle grounds.

"Take the moonlight, Luna!" "It's show-time, Dragonite!" "Time to show your true colours, Ruby!" Rowan, Annabelle and Benny chimed at similar intervals; whilst the characteristic silence of Lady G. persevered as she summoned her Absol.

Adriana froze as her eyes settled on the Dragonite; a cold sweat running down her back as the memories came back. A flash of light. Pure Silence. Luna severely wounded on the floor. The days at the Pokemon Centre that followed. She could feel her breathe becoming heavier as she was engulfed in the looping memories.

"I see you remember what happens when you try to get close to my Benny-Chan," Anabelle smirked.

Benny clenched his fists, worried about Rowan. "Come on, Rowan... You can do this... Snap out of it..."He muttered.

Rowan could feel a warmth next to her. "How...?" she wondered as she glanced to the side. Her eyes followed the flames of Absol's Fire Blast as it hit Anabelle's Dragonite. "I never heard the order... How...?" Adriana wondered. 'A pokemon and their trainer always need to be in sync.' Those were the words her mother had told her; how could she have forgotten? If she remained in fear and shock, Luna would also sense and share those emotions... She had to snap out of it. She clenched her fists and faced Luna, " We can't be left behind," she smiled at Luna with determination in her eyes.

*****

"Hehe, I can see who has the pants in the relationship~" Amy commented as she received Adriana in the backstage.

"Oh, shush, Amy..." Rowan grumbled.

"Just a heads up, I'm not going to play it easy with you like your little 'friend'~"

"Heh, I wasn't expecting anything else from you", she smiled, "may the best one win."

*****

Each trainer in the arena had summoned their pokemon; Amy her Ponyta, Rowan Luna, Lady G her Absol, and Lady R her Jolteon. The Jolteon felt so familiar to Rowan, it kind of reminded her of Sparks, her mother's Jolteon. It brought some refreshing memories... Swimming in the beach... running in the forest... It all brought a smile to her lips, but now she had to focus. It was the semi-finals, she couldn't lose focus now.

Rowan glanced at Absol from the corner of her eye; she could notice the shining light of his eyes; he was using future sight. It appeared the other two trainers hadn't realised yet. Amy commanded Ponyta to use Fire Wheel; that was when Rowan had an idea. "Luna, spin in the air and use Iron Tail against Ponyta!" This combination caused the creation of an "Iron wheel". Iron versus Fire. Perhaps, it may not appear a good move from Rowan's part; however, you will soon see why she chose this strategy.

Whilst the wheels were against each other, Jolteon started to sprint towards Absol, his jaw brightly sparkling as he prepared to use Thunder Fang. That was when Absol made his next move. The hall soon started to become chilly as the snow from Absol's Blizzard started to form. Adriana had made a big gamble, but this was the move she expected Absol to use; that is why she wanted Luna to remain close to Ponyta's fire. Any freezing would be prevented.

Tick. Toc. Tick. It was time for the Future Sight to take the stage. And 'who was the target?' You may ask. None other than Amy's Ponyta, making it faint. Luna kept the momentum of her "Iron Wheel", hitting Jolteon who had been gradually backing away from the Blizzard. It was a very effective move, causing Jolteon to faint, and bringing the end to the Semi-Finals.

Although a small sense of relief enveloped Adriana, she knew she couldn't keep her guard down. She knew the next round would be the most challenging she would face. She knew they would have the disadvantage... Just how would she be able to defend Luna who was clearly vulnerable to Absol's Blizzard...? Luna just managed to barely last enough with the fire next to her... What would she do without the shield of warmth...? She wandered as she made her way backstage. That was when she spotted two flowers - a white rose and a gracidea flower - and a note on her dressing table.

"Congratulations on classifying for the finals! I expected nothing less from you :) Once again, you have offered us an impressive display of your pokemon and the tight bond that joins you. I am sure you will not let us down in the upcoming finals.

I wish you the best of luck,

Your secret admirer.

xxxx"

That gesture managed to make her forget her worries, even if only for a few seconds. She could guess who the sender was. Anyone could have guessed that white roses were her favourite flower, however... only one person knew the special memory that surrounded the gracidea flower.

She smelled the flowers with a smile on her face before embracing herself for the upcoming battle.

*****

The time had come. Both trainers in the arena, one with their pokemon. It was clear that neither was going to back down. It was time for either to make their first move. This was a battle in which the slightest breath could make a difference, Adriana knew.

That's when she spotted the white light from Absol's eyes. She knew she was against the clock now.... She had to act fast.

"Luna, use Dragon Rush!" A dragon-like light figure surrounded Luna as she glided towards Absol. That was when she felt the room's temperature go down. Absol was using Blizzard. "Come on, Luna you can do this..." she mumbled. Luna struggled before she was finally able to hit Absol with the Dragon Rush. However, something worried Rowan. He could have easily tried to dodge the attack... Why didn't he? But it was too late. Absol's next move was in action, and Luna was in perfect range for the attack. Luna was unable to evade the scorching fire of Absol's Fire Blast, making her weakened body retreat to where she started. She was just in time for the Future Sight. Rowan watched in horror as Luna remained in her spot, hardly able to remain standing....